Roster thread: Get To Work (2022-2023 Season)

[CaliSabresfan24]

Olofsson, Bryson and Joki need to be off this team next year.

Olofsson is way too streaky and doesn't provide anything else when he's not scoring

We desperately need an upgrade from Bryson and Joki on D. Hopefully Johnson signs so Adams doesn't NEED to keep one of them

 

[Der Jaeger]

Sabres needs:

Top 4 defender. Jokiharju needs to be a 5. He can play some games in the top 4 in a pinch but I don’t think he’s got consistent top 4 ability.

Top 6 power forward. I remember games when the Lightning’s stars weren’t getting it done. Guys like Callahan and Killorn scored the gritty goals to get them going. Buffalo has no one like that.

Defensive depth. Moving Jokiharju down a pair would help. Johnson would help after a season. I think adding a top 4 defender would push Bryson to 7 and Stillman to 8, which would be fine. 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

Go after Graves and Severson or Mayfield in UFA. See if the Rangers need to shed some cap this summer, and offer to take Goodrow off their hands.

 

[Chainshot]

Sabres needs:

Top 4 defender. Jokiharju needs to be a 5. He can play some games in the top 4 in a pinch but I don’t think he’s got consistent top 4 ability.

Top 6 power forward. I remember games when the Lightning’s stars weren’t getting it done. Guys like Callahan and Killorn scored the gritty goals to get them going. Buffalo has no one like that.

Defensive depth. Moving Jokiharju down a pair would help. Johnson would help after a season. I think adding a top 4 defender would push Bryson to 7 and Stillman to 8, which would be fine. 2 birds with 1 stone.

Henri's got to go.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Henri's got to go.

bottom pair minutes isn't gonna fix his boneheaded plays

 

[Chainshot]

bottom pair minutes isn't gonna fix his boneheaded plays

It isn't going to grow him a spine either.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Greenway looks really bad .

 

[Irie]

Frankly, as a line.......... Mitts-Krebs-Greenway intrigues the hell out of me long term. That's a 3rd line that's not afraid to get grindy along the boards and can still chip in some offense.

I haven't been a big fan of Mitts with Krebs this year.

The eye test tells me that Mitts has had much better chemistry with Jost (or Cozens for that matter, but we are talking about a 3rd line role and not that 2nd line spot).

I think both Krebs and Mitts are at their best when they are carrying the puck and pulling defenders to them to create space for a finisher that can read the play and find those open lanes to receive the puck. I am not sure Greenway is that guy.

I get the grindy idea of the line, just not sure it plays to Mitts' or Krebs' best attributes.

 

[K8fool]

ive been wading in the sea across foreign lands of hot takes..
The themes.. we suck, we aren't a playoff team .. fire the coaches. send the goalies on permanent vacation to the sun..etc

We haven't learned to protect ourselves, yet, we are young.. Thompson deliberately cross checked lower back as it worked on lemieux.. Tuch i think has a fracture and playing. Skinner can't be killed ..Dahlin shouldn't be playing, Sammy got a puck deliberately shot at his face. Greenway shoulder . The rest hide it better ..Cozens seemed to have dodged these but is knicked Aa EVERY PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE IS.. can you play at same level, when a goal is needed.. The BEST can..
All of the above players are necessary and are part of a decent playoff team , Mitts seemed to have learned from his injury , VO not as much..
Quinn Peterka and Power are part of a good playoff team .
I think healthy w our depth a year older , A good top 4 D ( great shot blocker) .. A goalie stepping up. BUT WAIT ..

This year IS NOT OVER... we'll see who steps up..No way to evaluate til we play ten games of playoff hockey strategically injured and will we step up. We may find players on the roster that prove stronger and invaluable in the MOST IMPORTANT TEN GAMES, of all their careers.. Jost and Krebs are certainly tougher than they look etc. Boosh and Stillman may be wise third pair.. We'll see

 

[elchud]

Let's say we pick 13th.
Sabres 1st + Rosen for Crouse and Arizona 2nd
Who says no

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Mitts becoming good ?42 points and Eichel only 51 points .

Should be a good 3 liner for us ?

Let's say we pick 13th.
Sabres 1st + Rosen for Crouse and Arizona 2nd
Who says no

No, is he even good ? Seem like alot for 38 points

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Let's say we pick 13th.
Sabres 1st + Rosen for Crouse and Arizona 2nd
Who says no

Not add 2 first for him . Maybe Olofsson, 2 seconds and Greenway for him . Not any first pick this year

 

[Der Jaeger]

Let's say we pick 13th.
Sabres 1st + Rosen for Crouse and Arizona 2nd
Who says no

Won’t happen. If Armstrong were accepting that type of deal from Buffalo, Chychrun would be a Sabre right now.

 

[joshjull]

Yeah, we just don't agree about Mitts. You say I am describing him, "We need a true second line 200 ft physical power forward." I don't see him as that kind of second line winger. He is a third line winger to me. Is he better for the third line than Greenway? That depends on how you are building the third line. Any way you look at it, your top two left wing are Skinner and Quinn. Neither Greenway or Mitts is ideal for the 4th line role, so you still have to pick one to man the third line LW, and the other can go.

I pulled this from the goaltending thread. That is some seriously tortured logic to justify trading MItts.

 

[elchud]

Mitts as 2-way wing, strong on forecheck and backcheck, 25+35 a year? I will take it. Maybe we are two seasons away from a legit 2nd line, Mitts-Cozens-Quinn. In which case I'd like a big-boy center between Peterka and Savoie, Kulich eventually replacing Skinner. Don't think passing on Dvorsky would be wise if he is there at 13

 

[sabremike]

What is upsetting is that the flaws in the roster are so glaringly obvious and that any GM worth their salt could make the couple of moves/signings that would change everything. Unfortunately Adams is content to put everything on our one dimensional prospect pool and only going after bottom of the barrel reclamation projects in trades instead of actual useful NHL players. He is also clearly unwilling to make any type of significant move unless forced to. I can't believe that a guy who made a career as a role player seems incapable of understanding that you need role players to succeed in this league as it is currently constructed (punish skill and reward unskilled hammer throwers).

 

[Bendium]

I pulled this from the goaltending thread. That is some seriously tortured logic to justify trading MItts.

Again, I didn't say trade Mitts, I just made an argument for why him and Greenway are going to be trying to occupy one spot next year. One must go. Neither are good enough of shooters to justify playing them on the RW as primary shooters. Its not Mitts hate.

That said, from a pure hockey stance, Mitts is "just a guy." He is both tradeable, and more importantly, upgradeable.

 

[Bendium]

Mitts as 2-way wing, strong on forecheck and backcheck, 25+35 a year? I will take it. Maybe we are two seasons away from a legit 2nd line, Mitts-Cozens-Quinn. In which case I'd like a big-boy center between Peterka and Savoie, Kulich eventually replacing Skinner. Don't think passing on Dvorsky would be wise if he is there at 13

So here is the problem with a Mitts - Cozens - Quinn line. Both Quinn and Mitts are at their best playing on the LW. For Quinn it is because he is a shooter, so you want him on the left side with his right shot stick to the center of the ice to take one timers and give his wrist shot a better angle at the goaltender. Mitts is not a shooter, he is a passer and forechecker, so you want his left shot stick to the board side where both his passing and board work are more effective. Playing either one of them out of position just so you can make it fit on paper is inefficient.

Quinn is likely to be a second line LW shooter, so what they need is another Tuch-like player on Cozens RW. A 200-ft power forward with some size that compliments Quinn's usage on the LW and can work with Cozens down low winning puck battles. Thats not Mitts on the RW.

Mitts could possibly fit on the 3rd line LW if you are building a scoring line vs a checking line, but again there you have to find the right complimentary players.

 

[elchud]

I think Quinn can develop a much more fully rounded game than a guy like Olofsson who you do want on the off wing cuz he only does one thing. Thompson is also a shooter but rarely played the left wing...but...maybe that's why he was lousy!

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

So here is the problem with a Mitts - Cozens - Quinn line. Both Quinn and Mitts are at their best playing on the LW. For Quinn it is because he is a shooter, so you want him on the left side with his right shot stick to the center of the ice to take one timers and give his wrist shot a better angle at the goaltender. Mitts is not a shooter, he is a passer and forechecker, so you want his left shot stick to the board side where both his passing and board work are more effective. Playing either one of them out of position just so you can make it fit on paper is inefficient.

Quinn is likely to be a second line LW shooter, so what they need is another Tuch-like player on Cozens RW. A 200-ft power forward with some size that compliments Quinn's usage on the LW and can work with Cozens down low winning puck battles. Thats not Mitts on the RW.

Mitts could possibly fit on the 3rd line LW if you are building a scoring line vs a checking line, but again there you have to find the right complimentary players.

I think you put way too much behind which guy plays which wing. Quinn has scored maybe half his goals on the right side of the O-zone. Mitts doesn't care which side boards he is dominating. Greenway is a complete work in progress and if you think there is actually a choice between keeping him or Mitts...

 

[joshjull]

Again, I didn't say trade Mitts, I just made an argument for why him and Greenway are going to be trying to occupy one spot next year. One must go. Neither are good enough of shooters to justify playing them on the RW as primary shooters. Its not Mitts hate.

That said, from a pure hockey stance, Mitts is "just a guy." He is both tradeable, and more importantly, upgradeable.

So here is the problem with a Mitts - Cozens - Quinn line. Both Quinn and Mitts are at their best playing on the LW. For Quinn it is because he is a shooter, so you want him on the left side with his right shot stick to the center of the ice to take one timers and give his wrist shot a better angle at the goaltender. Mitts is not a shooter, he is a passer and forechecker, so you want his left shot stick to the board side where both his passing and board work are more effective. Playing either one of them out of position just so you can make it fit on paper is inefficient.

Quinn is likely to be a second line LW shooter, so what they need is another Tuch-like player on Cozens RW. A 200-ft power forward with some size that compliments Quinn's usage on the LW and can work with Cozens down low winning puck battles. Thats not Mitts on the RW.

Mitts could possibly fit on the 3rd line LW if you are building a scoring line vs a checking line, but again there you have to find the right complimentary players.

Everything you’ve posted is just a continuation of the same tortured logic you started with.

You keep trying to pigeon hole players into specific spots. The reason for that of course is trying to justify the idea that Mitts can only be in one spot and will be battling Greenway for it.

Neither of Quinn or Mitts needs to play LW to be their best. All you had to is watch the last several months of Sabres games to know this. But it’s been fun watching you try to spin a yarn about why each has to a LW to be at their best.

The reality of Quinn/Mitts

Quinn can play either side up and down the lineup effectively. Some of his best play this season was as a RW on the top line.

Mitts is a middle 6 forward who can play all 3 positions but he’s been at his best on the wings. You clearly have no ability to value Mitts for the player he currently is

I’m not sure I want to see a Mitts/Cozens/Quinn line. But there is nothing wrong with it. You just don’t like Mitts.

 

[Team Cozens]

I'm looking at Calgary for a potential goalie. Dusting Wolf is having an unreal season in the AHL this year and should be joining Markstrom next year. Daniel Vladar could be a stealth acquisition with 2 years left on a new contract at $2.2.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

The only move I’m expecting over the offseason is for a middle pairing defenseman, and maybe an upgrade in goal. Maybe a Girgs/Okposo replacement if one of them leave.

They should be able to make the playoffs next year by mostly just developing what they have, and solidifying the defense. Even with a UPL/Comrie tandem.

 

[debaser66]

hot take top corsi, its like reading from toilet paper

 

[Bendium]

Everything you’ve posted is just a continuation of the same tortured logic you started with.

You keep trying to pigeon hole players into specific spots. The reason for that of course is trying to justify the idea that Mitts can only be in one spot and will be battling Greenway for it.

Neither of Quinn or Mitts needs to play LW to be their best. All you had to is watch the last several months of Sabres games to know this. But it’s been fun watching you try to spin a yarn about why each has to a LW to be at their best.

The reality of Quinn/Mitts

Quinn can play either side up and down the lineup effectively. Some of his best play this season was as a RW on the top line.

Mitts is a middle 6 forward who can play all 3 positions but he’s been at his best on the wings. You clearly have no ability to value Mitts for the player he currently is

I’m not sure I want to see a Mitts/Cozens/Quinn line. But there is nothing wrong with it. You just don’t like Mitts.

It is not true that I just don't like Mitts. I just am not married to him or in love with the player and what he brings like you are. I take a more sterile approach to player evaluation. Many posters on this board tend to fall in love with players, and discussion then become all or none, nothing in the middle.

I have said plenty of good things about Mitts, but you don't read or see that, you just target what you don't like. You say I have no ability to evaluate him.....because I don't agree with you? Mitts has had a treacherous development path. He started out as a soft trick shot artist thinking he could rely on that and got caved. To his credit, three years in he decided he didn't want to wash out and started putting the work in and it showed in his speed and strength of skating. I began to have high hopes for him, yet every time he got a long stretch at center he underwhelmed. It was too much thinking for him and it slowed him down. They finally gave up at center and gave him a long look at wing this year, where the responsibilities are less and he can play faster. That has allowed him to emerge as a potential 3rd line winger. Now why in all the world they tried to go back to center last night I have no idea.

Any way it goes, when I sit down and try to build my own fan generated playoff roster, Mitts does not fit into what I am looking for in a second line winger opposite Quinn on a Cozens line. Thats my opinion. We have a ton of players and prospects all coming to a jam them into the roster point, and there are more players than spots, and even less of those players have profiles that fit the need. So love a player or prospect if you wish, but if you want a good playoff team, half the current forwards and forward prospects we have are going to have to be traded for different type players that fit the roles we need better. Its just not as simple as hating or loving Mitts.